3D-Printed Functional Materials for Cell Culture and Tissue Engineering: Fabrication Strategies and Applications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/jxf6f507Keywords:
3D printing, Cell culture, Tissue engineering, porous materials, Bone repair.Abstract
3D printing technology offers a precise and highly customizable approach for constructing biomimetic three-dimensional tissue engineering scaffolds, largely overcoming the limitations of traditional manufacturing methods in balancing complex microstructures with individual needs. This article systematically reviews the latest advancements in 3D-printable functional materials for cell culture and tissue engineering, focusing on three levels: fabrication concepts, functionalization strategies, and practical applications. Firstly, it examines the key "inks" for 3D printing, comparing the printing characteristics and biocompatibility of natural and synthetic polymers, reversible-dynamic hydrogels, and various inorganic materials, and discusses how to balance printability with scaffold mechanical strength through blending in different ratios or layered structures. Subsequently, the article summarizes strategies to actively regulate cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and even the immune microenvironment by fine-tuning physical structures (pore size gradient, channel orientation, surface roughness, etc.) and chemical modifications (covalent immobilization of peptides, growth factors, or calcium/phosphorus ions, etc.). Based on this, it further illustrates the core application pathways of this technology in constructing highly biomimetic in vitro models—such as tumor microenvironment-on-a-chip, liver or intestinal organoids—and in accelerating the regeneration and repair of bone defects, skin, muscle, and other soft tissues. Although challenges remain regarding the balance between printing resolution and speed, scaffold functional maturation cycles, large-scale quality control, and clinical translation pathways, deep integration with smart responsive materials and immunomodulatory design concepts holds the potential for 3D printing to push "tailor-made, truly functional" artificial tissues into the clinic, bringing substantial breakthroughs to regenerative medicine.
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